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1900 
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A FALLEN IDOL 




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A FALLEN IDOL 



A Farce in One Act 



By y 

Helen Sherman Griffith 

Author of '* The Burglar Alarm/' *' The Lady From 
Philadelphia,'' Etc. 



Philadelphia 

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Copyright 1900 by The Penn Publishing Company 



A FALLEN IDOL 



CAST 

Miss Spriggins . . Principal of Yomig Ladies Seminary 

Dora ] 

„ \ Pupils in I he Seminary 

GWENDOLIN ) 

Marie Brun A French Cleaner 

Costumes, in Accordance with Characters 
Time in Representation, Fifty Minutes 



A FALLEN IDOL 



SCENE — A room behind Marie's shop, set with ''shabby 
genteel " fiirnitnre. On left side a glass case exposing 
several pieces of fine lace, gloves, etc. A plain fapanese 
screen at right side has light gown, newly cleaned, hang- 
ing over it. Large easy chair i?i centre. Entrances 
c. i7i flat, L. and R. Mirror in some part of room. 
Scene opens disclosing Dora reading a letter aloud to 
Marie, who clasps her hands in ecstacy as she listens, 
following Dora as she strides about stage. 

Dora {reading in exalted voice and with appropriate 
gestures). "Without the hght of your sweet eyes, my life is to 
me as a night without day {strides across stage, Marie fol- 
lowing) day — no {in Jiatural voice), I mean a night witlio'ut 
stars {in exalted voice, recrossing stage), a day without sun ! 
'The night has a thousand eyes, the day but one' {lifts 
her eyes in ecstacy of admiration), and you, my precious Ama- 
bel — " {Aside, in natural voice) That's me, Marie. {Reads in 
exaltedvoice, striding across stage) " You are that light that 
illumines my day of love ! And now I am actually to see 
you — to gaze into those deep, tender, soulful orbs {rolls 
eyes) that will be raised so tenderly to mine ! Ah {re- 
crosses stage), those eyes ! I can see them now in my 
mind's eye ! Soon, in a few hours^ now, I shall drink in 
their sweet glances — their tender glances — for they will be 
tender, will they not ?" {Aside.) Oh, won't they? {Aloud, read- 
ing.) " They nmst. Why thy very name, my dear one, whis- 
pers of love — Amabel. At three, then, as we agreed, at 
Marie's. Until then, my dear one, adieu, adieu 1 {Kisses 
letter) Thine ever, Romeo." {Rapturously, folding letter) 
Ah, Marie, is it not beautiful ? And I am to see him here 
to-day — just think, to-day ! You are a dear, Marie, to kt 
us meet here, and to have kept all our letters and all. 
and never tell. 

Marie. Ah, mademoiselle, I am as anxious zat ze mad- 
ame should not discover ze petite affaire du caur, as mad- 
emoiselle herself . It would — what you call it — dear cost? 
coute chere — my custom wiz ze young ladies, I fear madame 
would l)e so incensed against me ifslie knew. Is it not so? 

Dora. She would be pretty furious. But she is not 

5 



6 A FALLEN IDOL 

going to find out, is she, Marie ? (Marie shrifgs her 
shoulders as if to say. Not if ive can prevent, then takes up 
duster and dusts. Dora sits in chair, c.) 

Dora. I wonder who he really is ? Of course Romeo 
is not his real name, though it is very pretty and romantic. 
Can it be that young man who stared so at me on our walk 
yesterday? He was terribly good-looking, but then, of 
course he wouldn't stare at me when he don't know yet 
that I am Amabel. But there {looking at watch), I am so 
impatient for this meeting that I've come nearly an hour 
too soon. I'll have time to step around the corner to Har- 
ris's and look at the bargain counters. {Rises and kisses 
letter again before putti?ig it in her pocket, moving in the 
meanwhile toward door, c. in fiat.) An affair ! to think that I 
have a love affair ! Oh, wouldn't the girls be envious ! But 
I haven't dared to take any of them into my confidence, not 
even Gwendolin, my dearest friend ! {Exit Dora, c. 
Marie looks after her, then continues dusting) 

Marie {soliloquizing). Ah, zese school young ladies ! 
What do zey not think of? To meet a young man in a back 
shop ! Mais ce n'est pas convenable. But what can one do ? 
It ees ze madame's fault. Zey were quite satisfy wiz zare 
leetle mischiefs an' smuggled bons-bons. Then madame, 
she say, "Young ladies, no young gentlemens, if you please." 
So zen ze demoiselles, zey begin to look out for ze 
young gentlemens ! Ah ! ze ways of mesdames de teach- 
ers, and mesdemoiselles de pupeels, sont drole ! But eet 
is not for me to judge, au moins. 

{Exit Marie, r., with duster. ' Enter Gwendolin, c, on 
tip- toe. She peers around the room mysteriously, then 
goes to side and calls softly. ) 

Gwendolin {softly). Marie, Marie ! {She beckons off, r.) 

{Re-enter Marie, r.) 

Marie {in ordinary voice). Ah, bon jour, mademoiselle. 
What can I do ? 

Gwendolin {glancing about). Sh-sh-sh ! (Gz/r/z^j- Marie 
by the shoulder and says i?i sepulchral voice.) Can we be 
overheard? Is there anyone within earshot ? 

Marie {in natjiral voice, but puzzled). Why, no, made- 
moiselle, zere ees nobody about. 

Gwendolin [vuith exaggerated sigh of relief). 'Tis well 
{In natural voice) Marie, I want you to do something for 
me — a great big favor. You're such a dear, obliging soul, 
(Marie smiles and looks flattered) and you can keep a 



A FALLEN IDOL 7 

secret, I know. You've been letting the postman leave 
letters here — 

Marie {clasping her hands). Ah, yes, such beautiful 
letters ! From Monsieur Romeo to Mademoiselle Amabel ! 

GwENDOLiN. Exactly. And now I am going to tell you 
a greater secret. {She goes to door, listens, again peers about 
room, theji comes close to Marie and bending down to her 
ear, says) I am Romeo ! 

Marie {starting back in astonishment). Mais — mais, 
mademoiselle, you Romeo ! Mais, c'est impossible ! Romeo 
ees a gentleman ! 

Gwendolin {cahnlv). Exactly. And that's the favor I 
want to ask of you. I want you to help me to be a gentle- 
man. Now listen {as Marie starts to speak). Your brother's 
a tailor, I know. Nothing's simpler than for you to step 
across to his shop and borrow a suit of clothes. ( Takes 
Marie's arm and leads her toivard exit at back.) 

Marie {protesting, and drawing back). But— but, madame, 
what will — 

Gwendolin {keeping hold of Marie's arm). Never mind, 
madame. Just do as \ ask, like a dear, good soul. {Puts 
Marie outside door at back) Only hurry, for I have to be 
ready in half an hour. 

Marie {outside). Bien, mademoiselle. 

Gwendolin {coming back to front). There ! I do hope 
she'll keep her wits about her and get a size that fits. I think 
with this on '{takes package from her pocket and nnivraps a 
false mustache) I'll be pretty well disguised. {Holds mustache 
up to mouth and looks in mirror, turning this way and that 
before it while speaking) I wonder with which of the girls 
I've been carrying on this violent correspondence, for of 
course it's one of the girls at the school or there wouldn't 
have been this mystery about sending the letters here and 
all. I wish it were a town girl, though. I'd feel so much 
surer of my disguise. {She ujrwj-aps another package which 
proves to be a rna?i's hat) Now, with my hair tucked under 
this {puts on /?^/), and my voice disguised— (^/^v?/-^ in deep, 
guttural voice) "Ah, my cherished Amabel, at last — at—" 
'{stops and liste?is). Goodness, someone's coming ! I don't 
want my Amabel to see me before I'm ready ! 

{Exit Gwendolin, r. E)iter Marie, c, carrying suit of 
man's clothes) 

Marie {breathless). Mademoiselle. {Looks abojit room ^ 
But she's gone! (Gwendolin peeps through door. Enter 
Gwendolin.) 



8 A FALLEN IDOL 

GwENDOLiN. Ah, you dear Marie, back already ! {Lays hat 
on couJiter, luiiioticcd by Marie who is busy examining clothes. 
GwENDOLiN ^^/e<?^■ j/«'//r6>w Marie.) Aren't they jolly ? I 
hope they'll fit. Here, help me. 

{With Marie's assistance Gwendolin slips on coat and 
looks at herself in 7nirror. Marie stops, listens, then 
goes to door at c, opens it a little way, listens again, 
then closes it hastily and rn?is back to Gwendolin.) 

Marie {shrieking). Ah, mademoiselle, we are undone, 
we are undone ! It ees ze madame who comes. How can 
we escape ? Ah ! 

Gwendolin (/;/ dismay). Good gracious ! what shall we 
do? We must hide, Marie. {Looks about wildly.) 

Marie {gathering up waistcoat and trousers). Here, my 
room, mademoiselle. Toute de suite. Zis way. 

{They rush off, l., Gwendolin forgetting hat. Enter Miss 
Spriggins and Dora at c.) 

Miss S. {complacently). How nice it is that Marie has 
this little private room where you young ladies can come 
safely without danger of encountering — ah — objectionable 
people in the front shop. 

Dora {meekly). Yes, Miss Spriggins. {Aside.) I only 
hope Romeo hasn't come yet. It's nearly three. 

(Dora crosses and examines gown hanging over screen. 
Miss S. goes to counter. Catches sight of the hat.) 

Miss S. {starting back, then bending to look closer, putting 
up her glasses, aside). Eh, what's ihis .-* Upon my soul, it's 
a man's hat I A man's hat here in Marie's private room. 
How horrible ! Has Marie been deceiving us all these 
days ? And if the hat is here, the man cannot be far off. 
{Looks about room) He may even be behind that screen. 
( With conviction.) He is behind that screen, I feel it ! And 
Dora standing there ! {Aloud, advancing toivard screen) 
Dora, my dear, see here a moment. 

Dora {i?inoce?itly looking around). See how well Janet's 
dress cleaned, Miss Spriggins. I wonder if that tea-stain 
came out. {Dora starts to lift dress from screen, moving 
toward the side.) 

Miss S. {agitatedly). Oh, Dora, dear, come away — don't 
look behind the screen — I mean, I wouldn't look behind 
— that is, Marie might not like you to touch the things, 
you know. {Gets between Dora a?id the screen, dropping 
her shopping bag off' her arm unnoticed in her agitation) 



A FALLEN IDOL 



Dora {vDoyidering). All right. Miss Spriggins. But 
^Marie doesn't mind, really. {Moves away from screen:) 

Mlss S. {aside). But she must not see the hat, either. 
Dear me, I'll really have to take her away from here. 

Dora {aside, looking at her watch). Dear me, why did I 
go on that errand ! I ran bang into Miss Spriggins and I'll 
never be able to get rid of her. 

Miss S. {starting to look behifid screen a?id di^awing back). 
I wonder if he is back there. But I must not look, or I 
will surely scream and alarm Dora. {Turns away. Dora 
ivalks ahstraj-tedly across the stage. Aside.) She will see 
the hat! {Calls.) Dora, my dear, don't go over — I mean 
come here— ah— Marie seems to be busy just now. We'll 
return to-morrow for the things. 

Dora {aside). The very thing! I'll soon be able to 
shake her off and then come back here to meet Romeo. 
Ah, Romeo ! {Forgets herself and walks forward with 
clasped hands.) Ah, Romeo, Romeo, wherefore art thou, 
Romeo .? 

Miss S. {aside, in horror). She has seen the hat and it 
has turned her head ! {Aloud, expostulating) My dear, 
my dear, what is the matter.? 

Dora. Oh, I forgot! I was thinking of my letter — I 
mean my— our Shakespeare class, you know. {Recovers 
herself.) The play of Romeo and Juliet, by Shakespeare, 
you know. 

Miss S. {going toward door, c. in fiat). Yes. and a very 
silly play indeed. Come, my dear. 

{Exeunt Dora and Miss Spriggins, c. Enter Marie, l. 
Looks out of door after Miss Spriggins and Dora.) 

Marie {closing door and coming front). Such an escape, 
ma foi ! 

{Enter Gwendolin, cautiously, l.) 

GwENDOLiN. Have they gone, Marie ? Who was it ? 

Marie. It was ze madame and one of ze mesdemoiselles 
— mademoiselle Dora. (Marie re-arranges gown on screen.) 

GwENDOLiN {aside). Dora ! How f should have lovetl 
to tell her the joke. But she's such a proper little person 
and so conscientious that she'd be shocked. Now I'll go 
back to try on the clothes. {Bell rings off r.) 

Marie {aside). Ah, zere is a customer in my shop. I 
must go to wait upon her. {Exit Marie, r.) 

GwE^DOiAyi {taking up hat). Marie, may I go into your 
room to dress ? ( Turjis and finds Marie gone) Why I 



lO A FALLEN IDOL 

where — {Hears voices without) Oh, she's gone into the 
shop. Well, she won't mind. 

{Exit GwENDOLiN, L. Voices heard off r., b?it no words 
are distinguishable except an occasional exclamation 
from Marie, Re-e7iter Miss Spriggins, c.) 

Miss S. {coming forzva?^d). Now for the investigation ! 
{Stops and listens.) Why, that is the voice of one of my 
girls ! How often must I tell them that they are not to 
go into the front shop, but to transact their business with 
Marie here. Thougii for this once it has proved rather 
fortunate, for she might have seen the young man ! Now I 
will go in there and see her started safely home before I 
speak to Marie about that — that hidden creature ! 

{Exit Miss S., r. Enter Gwendolin fi'-om l., still with 
hat and coat on, but carrying trousers over arm) 

Gwendolin. Marie — {looks about room). Why, she isn't 
back, yet. {Listens) But here she comes. 

{Enter Marie, r., hastily. In great agitation as she sees 
Gwendolin.) 

Gwendolin. Marie, they fit all right — that is, everything 
except — {comes close to Marie and whispers in her ear). 

Marie. Eh, bien — too long, you say? {takes tr'ousers) 
But cannot mademoiselle turn zeni up at bottom? (Miss 
Spriggins' voice heard without) 

Gwendolin {in dismay). Miss Spriggins ! 

Marie {clasping her hands). Ah, yes, it was that of 
which I came to warn you. But ze — ze trous — 

Gwendolin {excitedly'). But she may come in here at 
any second, and she must not find me in these things ! I'll 
hide. (Miss Spriggins voice heard agai?i) ,_^ 

Gwendolen. Oh, she's coming! I'm lost. The screen, 
quick ! {Dashes behind screen, the?t looks out from behind 
it) But Marie, you will change them, won't you ? 
Get me a shorter pair. I must have — 

{Dodges behind screen as Miss Spriggins enters r. Marie 
stands near door c. i?i flat, holdi?tg the trousers folded 
over her arm) 

Miss S. {stepping back with a scream of horror). Marie, 
what are you holding in your arms ? 

Marie {looking down, much embarrassed). Oh, ah, — 
madame means zese, perhaps ? {holds out trousers deprecat- 
ingly). Ah, zese are a trifle — a mere trifle. Ah — 



A FALLEN IDOL II 

Miss S. {gasping). A trifle ! A mere trifle ! Marie, what 
do you mean ! {Sinks into chair.) 

Marie. Ah, I would say— {Recovers herself .) Why, zese, 
madame, are my brother's. Zere was a stain — a mere trifle 
of a stain, madame comprehends, whicli I was requested to 
sponge off, and which would not injure ze newness of ze 
cloth, yes ? I am but about to return zem. 

Miss S. {snspicionsly). Your brother, Marie ? I did not 
know you had a brother. {Rises and conies fof-d'ard^stern/y.) 
Marie, you are deceiving me ! 

Marie. Ah, no, madame. I have a brother, truly. He 
is one tailor ! 

Miss S. {^evereh^. Tailors do not leave their busmess 
on a Saturday afternoon to call upon their sisters. And I 
saw a hat here when I came in a little while ago. A gentle- 
man's hat. 

Marie {looks about for the hat in bewilderment, for she 
had 7iot seen that Gwendolin had left the hat on the table). 
A gentleman's hat, madame ? Ah, but no ! Zere has been 
no oentleman's hat here. I swear it ! Madame does not 
believe me? {Wrings her hands) Ah, Je suis desolee ! 
But madame must believe! See, I swear it on bended knee 

zere has been no gentleman's hat in zis room ! {Drops on 

knees before Miss S) Madame will believe me now? And 
zese {holding out trousers), zese are my brother's ! Madame 
believes, yes? Madame must believe ze desolee Mane! 
{Clasps Miss Sv^\gg\^^ around the knees) 

Miss S. {embarrassed and trying to back away). Don't, 
Marie! It is so— ah— undignified. Rise, and speak 
rationally. . . 

Marie {rising). But madame must not do me ze injus- 
tice about my brother's trous — 

Miss S. {hastily^. Sh-sh ! But {still doubting), there is 
no tailor in the town of the name of Brun. 

Marie {coylv, casting down her eyes). Ah, ze madame 
forgets zat poor Marie is widow. I was nee Jacques, mad- 
ame, and {eagerly) madame has surely seen zat sign across 
ze way. And I was about to return zem when madame 
entered. 

Miss S. {conz'inced). Very well. Marie. I believe you. 
Only do return diem now. Get them back to him at once. 
( Turns azvay) 

Marie. Oui, madame. 

{Exit Marie at c. with trousers.) 
Gwendolin {aside behind screen). Hurrah for Marie. 



L.0^^' 



12 A FALLEN IDOL 

Miss S. {advancing front). I suppose it is all right, 
and that was her brother's hat that he left here when he 
brought her the — ah — the garment. But {lookijig about 
room), I forgot to ask Marie if she had seen my shopping bag, 
which I must have dropped here, and I am keeping Dora 
waiting all this time at Harris's. She will grow weary and 
go home without me. {Begins to search roo??i.) 

GwENDOLiN {aside behijid screen). Gracious! Here's 
her beastly old shopping bag right over here on the floor. 
If she comes to pick it up she'll see me. What on earth 
shall I do ? I daren't move the screen ; it would attract her 
attention. ( Takes up yard-stick.) Perhaps I can poke the 
bag farther out into the room before she sees it. 

Miss S. {stilt searchijig 07i counter and table). I was 
quite sure that I had laid it down here, but I must have 
dropped it somewhere about the room. {Begi?is to search 
floor.) Ah, there it is ! ( The yard- stick protrudes from 
behirid screen, and thrusts the shopping bag over toward 
centre of room) 

Miss S. {jumping back with scream). Then there is 
a man behind there ! I must return and investigate. 
{Picks up shopping bag cautiously and retreats backward 
toward door c.) I will just go and see Dora started safely 
home. To think that Marie was deceiving me after all ! 

{Exit Miss Spriggins c.) 

GwENDOLiN {coming forward from behind sere e?i). Here's 
a how-de-do ! Miss Spriggins evidently saw that hat the 
time I forgot and left it on the counter, and now she sus- 
pects that something is up and is coming back to investigate! 
I'm afraid that settles the chance of my meeting with Amabel, 
and my jolly masquerade. And Harris's is so near — just 
around the corner. She'll be back in a jiffy. {Lisfe?is) 
There she comes now! {Glances at scree?i.) I daren't hide 
there again. I hope Marie will forgive my making so free 
with her room, but it's the only hiding place left me. 

{Exit GWENDOLIN L., Re-e?iter Miss Spriggins c). 

Miss S. They told me at the store that Dora had gone 
home, so now the coast is clear for my search into thin mys- 
tery. {She walks determinedly across to the scree?i, reaches 
her hand out to move it, hesitates, and draivs back. She 
looks hastily about the room, peers under table and counter, 
and then goes back to screen. Clearing her voice and speak- 
ing sternly.) Young man, stand forth. {Silence. Pause. 
In same stern voice) Young man, stand forth. Conceal- 



A FALLEN IDOL 1 3 

ment is now impossible. All is known ! Stand forth ! 
{Silence. Pause. In natural voice, ivith some asperity) 
There is no use in your skulking back there, when 1 know 
perfectly well that you are there. If you don't come out at 
once, I shall be obliged to remove the screen. {Silence. 
Pause. Tapping her foot impatiently) This is very im- 
pertinent, young man. I will give you until I count ten to 
appear, and then I shall remove the screen. So, prepare ! 
One, two, three. Remember, I warn you ! Four, five, six, 
seven. At ten, I am determined! Eight. {Counts more 
slowly.) Nine. Your last chance ! {Slight pause.) Ten ! 
{She draws back screen dramatically and steps back in aston- 
ishment) Not there ! Can he have made his escape al- 
ready ? No, \ was gone too short a time. Hark ! {Listens) 
Some one comes. I'll step behind here and avx'ait develop- 
ments. (Miss Spriggins re-arranges screeii and goes be- 
hind it, standing so that she can be seen by audience, and 
goes through appropriate pa7itomime at all that follows. 

{Enter Dora, breathless, c.) 

Dora {dropping into chair). Oh, what a time I had to 
shake off the old lady ! (Miss Spriggins makes motions of 
anger and indignation behind screen.) She sticketh closer 
than a brother or a barnacle. And it's after three ! (Miss S. 
looks interested) I hope my cherished Romeo hasn't got 
tired of waiting and gone away. {Looks at watch) 

Miss S. {aside, behind scree?). So this is the plot ! One 
of my most highly esteemed and trusted young ladies has 
an appointment to meet a young man here ! 

Dora {still looking at watch). Quarter past ! {Rises and 
looks about room) Either Romeo's ardor has cooled very 
quickly, that he couldn't wait fifteen stupid little minutes, 
or else he's not come yet. I hope nothing's happened to 
detain him, after all the risk I've taken to keep the appoint- 
ment. 

Miss S. {grimly, behind screen). A very great risk, in- 
deed, young lady ! Greater than you guess at present ! 

Dora {sitting doivn again, and laughing). It was hard 
work shaking the old lady, but it was funny, too. How 
gullible she is ! I told the man at the store to say that I'd 
got tired and gone home, and she believed it! Believed 
that I'd prefer the slow, pokey, old school of a Saturday 
afternoon to sitting in Harris's window and watching the 
gay crowd go by on the av^enue ! Why. I'd have waited 
the whole afternoon for her, if it hadn't been for this 
appointment. Gone home, indeed ! {Laughs again) And 



14 A FALLEN IDOL 

I slipped out to Huyler's, too, and got a pound of caramels 
— had 'em put in a bag, so the box wouldn't give me away. 
( Takes large paper package, with some difficulty, out of her 
pocket.) Goodness ! what a pity that big sleeves have gone 
out of fashion. They were so handy for smuggling things 
in. 

Miss S. {behind screen). Indeed! I shall remember that 
when big sleeves become fashionable again ! 

Dora {looking longingly at package). What a feast 
Gwendolin and I will have to-night ! My mouth fairly waters 
for one this instant, but {looking about) Romeo may come in 
at any moment and I should not like to be caught with my 
mouth full. That would be a very unromantic beginning to 
my affair. 

Miss S. {behind screen, scandalized). An affair, indeed ! 
One of my young ladies to talk of a love affair ! {Holds up 
her hands in horror.) 

Dora {jumping up). But it's getting awfully late. I 
wonder if he isn't coming. I'll go hunt up Marie and see 
if she knows anything. Maybe he's been here and has left 
a message. 

Miss S. {grimly behind screen). Yes, young lady, he has 
been here, but I shall receive the message. 

{I?t her agitation Miss Spriggins jars against the screen, 
causing it to move slightly, just as Dora tmnis to exit r. 
Dora sees screen move, shrieks aiid jumps back, drop- 
ping her package, which breaks, and the caramels are 
spread about on the floor) 

Dora {clasping her hands agitatedly). I thought I saw the 
screen move. {Looks at screen again) I wonder if there 
could be a burglar or anything behind it ? {Still watches 
scree?i intently) But how silly of me! It's as stearly as a 
rock. A draught must have waved the dress hanging on 
it. Whoever heard of a burglar in the middle of the 
afternoon ? And dear me, look at my precious carmels ! 

{T)OKK hieels on floor to pick up caramels. The large chair 
conceals her from any one coming in back, or left. Enter 
Marie at back, carry i?ig a pair of trousers. She looks 
about room but does not see Dora. Knocks at door left. 
Door opens a?7d ejifer Gw'E^'DOi.i^, cautiously. She has 
on the coat, hat, and false mustache). 

Gwendolin {whispering). Is it all right? Have you 
got a shorter pair ? 



A FALLEN IDOL 



15 



Dora {listejiing). What's that ? I thought I heard some- 
body whisper. Oh, I'm as nervous as a cat ! 

(Dora glances at screen again, and theii rises sloivly and 
peeps over hack of chair just as Marie holds trousers up 
against Gwkndolin to measure their length. Miss 
Spriggins peeps around side of screen at same moment. 
Dora and Miss Spriggins slwiek) 

Miss S. | ,.,. ,, , , r Marie ! 

Dora. | ^^^^nultaneously>> | ^^^^^^^ , 

Miss S. {sternly, comiiig forward). Young ladies, what 
does this mean ? 

GwENDOLiN {ivith a scream). Miss Spriggins ! Mercy ! 
{Snatches off hat and tugs at mustache which sticks.) Ow ! 
how it sticks. {Succeeds in removing mustache?) 

Miss S. {stepping back in asto?iishment). GwendoHn ! 
{Sternly) In that coat ! And that hat ! And— and things ! 
What does this mean ? 

Dora {reproachfully, seeing through Gwexdolin's dis- 
.gnise). Oh, Gwendohn, were you my Romeo ? 

Miss S. {sharply). Wliat's that ? GwendoHn, your Romeo ? 
Dora {severely), I was there, beliind that screen, and heard 
you aclvnowledge that you had come here to meet a young 
man ! 

Dora {faintly). Oh, Miss Spriggins! 

Miss S. {with increasing severity). GwendoHn, do you 
mean to say that you intended to dress yourself as a man .? 
To wear— those things ! {She points dramatically to trousers 
which Marie stands holding at full length.) 

Gwendolin {penitently, but with difficulty restrai^iing her 
laughter). I— I'm sorry, Miss Spriggins. "l — you see it was 
this way — 

Dora {reproachfully). Then you did mean to deceive 
me, Gwen — me, your dearest friend ? 

Miss S. (m hor7^or). You intended to put on those 
things ? 

Gwendolin {desperately). But it was only in fun. Miss 
Spriggins. A sort — sort of affaire du coeur, you know. It 
was only a joke ! 

Miss S. {turning a?id catching sight of the trousers). 
Only a joke ! Oh, Marie, take the immodest things 
away ! 

Marie {waving trousers up and down as she raises her 
hands a?id gives a shrug). Ah, zese affairs of ze heart! 
How zey grieve, even when zey are only in jest ! 

Gwendolin. But Miss Spriggins, vou know I didn't 



I 6 A FALLEN IDOL 

really put them on. (Miss Spriggins sfmdders) And 
Dora will forgive me. Won't you, Dora ? 

Dora. Yes, I suppose I must. I was very foolish to be 
so easily taken in. But you did write awfully sweet letters, 
Gwen. 

(Dora and Gwendolin7<?/72 hands and kneel before Miss 
Spriggins.) 

GwENDOLiN. I forswear the — the garments of the other 
sex, and beseech your forgiveness. 

Dora. It is a first offense, Miss Spriggins, and we will 
be models the rest of the term. 

Miss S. {relentitig). I suppose I must forgive you, if 
only to keep the other girls from hearing of it. For I must 
exact a promise that you will never let this scandalous 
affair be whispered to the rest of the school. 

DorI^^^^^ 1 ^f^Sether, jnmpiiig up). We promise ! 

(Marie still stands in backgroimd holding trousers, and 
Miss Spriggins turns her back upon them with a shud- 
der. GwENDOLiN and Dora embrace, c.) 
Gwendolin. And you forgive my intended treachery ? 
Dora. Yes ! To tell the truth, I'm glad that it wasn't 
really a man. 

( They embrace again^ 
GwENDOLiN. Amabel ! 
Dora. Romeo ! 

curtain 




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